Is it legal to throw a backward pass out of bounds for the purpose of stoppng the clock? A rules reference would be greatly appreciated.

NF: yes this is legal. The clock would start on the snap.
check rules 7-4-? and 3-4-? (sorry no books).

I know you don't really need this info, but under NCAA this would be a spot foul and we would start the clock on the ready.

There is nothing in the rules that forbids intentionally throwing a backwards pass OOB to conserve time. The only passes which can be illegal are foward passes, as outlined in 7-5-2. Also I think the definition of a rule (2-35) is important here, specifically this part: "A rule sometimes states what a player may do, but if there is no such statement for a given act (such as faking a kick), it is assumed that he may do what is not prohibited."

As for some of the rules that Theisey was looking for: 3-4-3a (the clock starts on the snap if the clock was stopped because the ball went OOB) and 3-4-4e (the clock shall be stopped when the ball goes OOB). 7-4 discusses fumbles and backwards passes and does not mention or prohibit intentionally throwing a backward pass OOB.

a tiwst
 

Is it legal to throw a backwards pass OB (mostly to his side but slightly backwards) to aviod a sack?

Re: a tiwst
 

Yes

If you throw a backwards pass out of bounds, the ball would be spotted at where the ball went out because it is considered a fumble, correct? This would explain why there is no penalty on the play; they have already lost the yardage.

It is considered a backwards pass out of bounds and is spotted at the inbounds spot at the yard line where it went out of bounds. There is no penalty for a backwards pass out of bounds.

Re: a tiwst
 

Why would you do that since the ball would end up behind the spot where the QB would have been sacked? :p

Possible situation where the QB might do that.
-----
3rd and goal to go from the 5 for A who is down by 2 points
and 10 seconds left on the clock. Team QB takes the snap and drops back to pass--- his #1 receiver is double teamed, he looks for his
secondary and sees he is being rushed by the defense. Rather
than risk being hit and fumbling the ball- he throws is backwards
out of bounds to stop the clock AND retain possession.
Team A now brings in ACE kicker to kick a 25 yard FG and
win the game !!!
Legal-- you bet-- and also smart play !!
Anyone have a rule that say no ??

I bet there isn't a HS player in the country who's that smart. :)

That's why I love this board. You guys think of everything!!

but--- no matter how long you've been at
the "officiating game"-- and you think
you've seen EVERYTHING-------
then something happens and you
think--
"what the hell was that !!"
keeps it interesting doesn't it ??

And on your toes.

Peace

Thanks all.. Now that this has been discussed it will happen in one of my games and the defensive team will be screaming for intentional grounding and won't get it..